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The purpose of this study was to investigate the influence of muscle fiber type on the slow component of oxygen uptake (VO2) kinetics and electromyographic activity. Twelve sprinters and ten endurance runners participated in the study. They performed two separate treadmill running tests, the first test being conducted to determine the ventilatory threshold and maximal oxygen uptake. The second test consisted of a 6 min running bout at severe exercise intensity. A two-component exponential model was used to fit the VO2 response. Surface electromyographic signals were collected from Vastus lateralis, and processed by wavelet analysis. Sprinters and endurance runners, with their distinct anaerobic and aerobic fitness, showed a substantial difference in VO2 slow component during severe exercise. The sprinters showed a significantly higher VO2 slow component amplitude (A2: 381.0 ± 96.3 mL/min) and a significantly earlier slow component onset (TD2: 118.1 ± 16.1 s) than the endurance runners (A2: 142.2 ± 58.4 mL/min, TD2: 145.9 ± 19.9 s). The electromyographic mean power frequency of the tested muscles increased significantly during the slow component phase. There is a significant correlation between VO2 slow component and electromyographic mean power frequency for endurance runners ( r = 0.50, p = 0.003). The combined use of VO2 kinetics modeling and electromyographic measurement provides evidence of the influence of muscle fiber type on slow component of oxygen uptake kinetics during severe intensity exercise.

In this study, the effects of porosity of the fore-catalytic bed and after-catalytic bed and preheat temperature on the decomposition and combustion characteristics of a 5 N ammonium dinitramide (ADN)-based thruster were numerically investigated in terms of the distribution of components, temperature, and pressure. The results indicated that the porosity of the fore-catalytic bed and preheating temperature significantly affected the decomposition and combustion characteristics. The porosity of the fore-catalytic bed was optimized, and the thrust performance was demonstrated to improve with increasing of porosity of the after-catalytic bed and pre-heating temperature. The results were favorable for the investigation of decomposition and combustion characteristics and could also be beneficial to the design and manufacture of different types of ADN-based thrusters.

Background: The goal of this study was to identify the physiological factors related to the blood concentration of lithium in Chinese Han patients with bipolar disorder (BD). Materials and methods: A total of 186 Chinese Han patients with BD were assessed. Patients were recruited from the Anhui Mental Health Center. The concentrations of serum lithium were measured by a Dimension RxL Max biochemistry analyzer. Physiological factors, including body weight, body mass index (BMI), and routine laboratory parameters, were collected. Relationships between the serum lithium concentration and relevant clinical data were analyzed by Pearson correlation tests, and the independent relationships were determined by multivariate linear regression analysis. Results: Pearson correlation analysis showed that serum lithium concentrations were positively correlated with creatinine concentrations (r=0.147, P=0.046), Mg2+ concentrations (r=0.151, P=0.04), and the percentage of neutrophils (r=0.178, P=0.015) and negatively correlated with high-density lipoprotein (HDL) concentrations (r=-0.142, P=0.05), apolipoprotein A1 concentrations (r=-0.169, P=0.02), and Na+ concentrations (r=-0.148, P=0.046) in 186 patients with BD. Furthermore, multivariate linear regression analysis showed that serum lithium concentrations were negatively associated with Na+ concentrations and positively associated with the percentage of neutrophils. Conclusion: These results suggest that physiological factors, including creatinine, HDL, apolipoprotein A1, Na+, and Mg2+ concentrations and percentage of neutrophils, might be related to serum lithium concentrations and provide a basis for parameter selection of lithium population pharmacokinetics in Chinese Han patients with BD.

A novel calcium-phosphate (Ca–P)-coated magnesium (Mg) membrane used for guided bone regeneration (GBR) was studied. The microstructural characterization, electrochemical test, immersion test, fluorescence labeling analysis and histopathological evaluation were carried out. The results showed that Ca–P coating could obviously improve the corrosion resistance of the pure Mg membrane. The in vivo results showed that Mg membrane coated with Ca–P would take 8 weeks to be completely absorbed. However, Mg membrane was completely absorbed within 1 week. Histopathological evaluation showed that the Ca–P-coated Mg membranes were significantly better than Ti membranes at the early implantation time (4 weeks), and with the time prolonging, the performance of the coated Mg membrane was not as good as pure Ti membranes (but still better than blank group) at 8 and 12 weeks. The coated biodegradable Mg membrane had a good promising application in GBR. But further studies have to be done to further decrease the degradation rate of pure Mg membrane.

Immobilized antibodies with site-specific, oriented, and covalent pattern are of great significance to improve the sensitivity of solid-phase immunoassay. Here, we developed a novel antibody conjugation strategy that can immobilize antibodies in a directional and covalent manner. In this study, an IgG-Fc binding protein (Z domain) carrying a site-specific photo-crosslinker, p-benzoyl-L-phenylalanine, and a single C-terminal cysteine (Cys) handle was genetically engineered. Upon UV irradiation, the chimeric protein enables the Cys handle to couple with the native antibody in Fc-specific and covalent conjugation pattern, resulting in a novel thiolated antibody. Thus, an approach for the covalent, directional immobilization of antibodies to maleimide-modified magnetic nanoparticles (MNPs) was developed on the basis of the crosslinking between sulfhydryl and maleimide groups. The antibody-conjugated MNPs were applied in MNP-based enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) for the detection of carcinoembryonic antigen. The MNP-based ELISA presented a quantification linear range of 0.1–100 ng mL−1 and detection limit of 0.02 ng mL−1, which was approximately 100 times more sensitive than the traditional microplate ELISA (2.0 ng mL−1). Thus, the proposed antibody immobilization approach can be used in surface functionalization for the sensitive detection of various biomarkers.

A simple, rapid, and selective ultra-performance liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry method for determination of l-carnitine (LC) and acetyl-l-carnitine (ALC) in human serum was developed. Acetyl-l-carnitine-d3 (ALC-d3 ) was selected as internal standard (IS). After protein precipitation with acetonitrile-water (1 mL, 2:1, v/v), the analytes and IS were separated on a 2.5-μm XSelect HSS T3 C18 column by gradient elution with methanol-water (containing 0.01% ammonia water) as the mobile phase at a flow rate of 0.2 mL/min. Analytes were detected with multiple reaction monitoring using a positive scan mode with electrospray ionization. Good linearity (R2 > 0.999) was observed in the concentration range for LC and ALC. The inter- and intra-day values of relative error were -10.4% to 10.0% with CVs less than 9.84%. The average recoveries of the two analytes were 91.29%-98.23%. Blood samples containing LC and ALC were stable under various storage conditions. Normal, haemolytic, and hyperlipidaemic serum had no significant effect on the quantification of LC and ALC. This method was successfully applied to study the concentrations of endogenous LC and ALC in the serum of patients with first-episode depression.

The component solubilities, densities and refractive indices of the quaternary system Na+, Rb+, Mg2+//Cl–-H2O at 298.2 K were measured using an isothermal evaporation method. Based on the gathered data, a metastable phase diagram, a water content diagram, and a density/refractive index vs. composition diagram were constructed. The results show that this system is of a complex type with a double salt rubidium carnallite (RbCl·MgCl2·6H2O) formed at 298.2 K. Double salt rubidium carnallite, whose component point locates in its own crystallization zone in the dry salt phase diagram, belongs to congruent double salt at 298.2 K. Accompanied by the double salt that was formed, there are two invariant points in the phase diagram that cosaturated with three salts and an equilibrated solution. The cosaturated salts for the two invariant points are MgCl2·6H2O+RbCl·MgCl2·6H2O+ NaCl and NaCl+RbCl+RbCl·MgCl2·6H2O, respectively. Both invariant points are commensurate invariant points in the evaporation process, and the two invariant points are evaporative dry points. The sizes of the crystalline regions of the salts are in the order of NaCl>RbCl>RbCl·MgCl2·6H2O>MgCl2·6H2O.

Drosophila suzukii (Matsumura) (Diptera: Drosphilidae) is an important pest that causes damage to fruits of over 60 plant species. Drosophila suzukii oviposits on ripe fruit, while D. melanogaster oviposits on decaying fruit. Therefore, these species occupy separate ecological niches. To provide a better understanding of the alcohol tolerance between these 2 species and explore the relationship of ecological niche differences and alcohol tolerance, ethanol and acetaldehyde content was examined in red grapes infested by D. melanogaster and D. suzukii. We assessed mortality and alcohol dehydrogenase (ADH) and acetaldehyde dehydrogenase (ALDH) activity levels for 2 Drosophila species exposed to ethanol. The study results showed that ethanol content gradually increased as the fruit decayed while being infested by Drosophila. The ethanol content was higher in the presence of D. melanogaster than in the presence of D. suzukii. In the mortality experiment, the LC50 of D. melanogaster adults was approximately 8.0% following exposure to ethanol for more than 6 h, while it was only 2.7% in D. suzukii. Moreover, D. melanogaster adults and larvae all had higher ADH and ALDH activity than D. suzukii exposed to ethanol. Our results suggest that D. melanogaster and D. suzukii may occupy different ecological niches due to their discrepancy in tolerance to environmental ethanol, which is mainlyregulated by ADH and ALDH. ResumoDrosophila suzukii (Matsumura) es una plaga importante que causa dano a las frutas de mas de 60 especies de plantas que oviposita en fruta madura, mientras que D. melanogaster oviposita en fruta en descomposicion. Por lo tanto, estas especies ocupan nichos ecologicos separados. Con el fin de proveer una mejor comprension de la tolerancia al alcohol entre estas dos especies y explorar la relacion de las diferencias del nicho ecologico y la tolerancia al alcohol, se examino el etanol y el contenido de acetaldehido en uvas tintas infestadas por D. melanogaster y D. suzukii. Se evaluaron los niveles de actividad de la mortalidad y alcohol deshidrogenasa (ADH) y acetaldehido deshidrogenasa (ALDH) para dos especies de Drosophila expuestas al etanol. Los resultados del estudio mostraron que el contenido de etanol aumento gradualmente a medida que el fruto decayo mientras se infestaba con Drosophila. El contenido de etanol fue mayor en presencia de D. melanogaster que en presencia de D. suzukii. En el experimento aproximadamente el 8,0% despues de la exposicion al etanol durante mas de 6,0 los adultos y las larvas de D. melanogaster tuvieron una actividad ADH y ALDH mas alta que D. suzukii expuestas al etanol. Nuestros resultados sugieren que D. melanogaster y D. suzukii pueden ocupar diferentes nichos ecologicos debido a su discrepancia en la tolerancia al etanol ambiental, el cual esta reguladoprincipalmente por ADH y ALDH.View this article in BioOne

Photoresponsive adsorbents for CO2 capture attract significant attention, because the variation of adsorption capacity can be tailored conveniently by light irradiation. However, all photoresponsive adsorbents reported until now capture CO2 via physical interaction (weak sites). Thus, the selectivity of CO2 over other gases like CH4 is low, and the variation of CO2 adsorption capacity originates from pure structural change via isomerization of photoresponsive units. Despite great challenges, photoresponsive adsorbents for CO2 capture based on chemical interaction (strong sites) are extremely desirable. Here, we report for the first time the construction of photoresponsive adsorbents with chemical adsorption sites for CO2. The control of adsorption capacity is based on the interplay between active amine sites {A, [3-(methylamine)propyl]trimethoxysilane} and photoresponsive azobenzene molecules [P, 4-(3-triethoxysilylpropyl-ureido)azobenzene]. Density functional theory (DFT) calculations reveal that the neg...

High cancer drug development attrition rates have provoked considerable debate about whether the two-dimensional tumor growth inhibition high-throughput screening assays used in pre-clinical lead discovery adequately reflect solid tumor complexity. We used automated high-content screening image acquisition and analysis methods to compare fluorescent drug uptake, accumulation, and distribution in Cal33 and FaDu head and neck cancer (HNC) monolayer and multicellular tumor spheroid (MCTS) models. Ellipticine, idarubicin, daunorubicin, and doxorubicin were studied because of their fluorescent properties and broad anti-tumor activities. HNC MCTSs were generated in 384-well ultra-low attachment plates where compound exposure, image acquisition, and analysis could be performed in situ. Fluorescent drug accumulation in Cal33 monolayer and MCTS cultures was linear with respect to concentration, and appeared to achieve steady-state levels within 10-15 min of drug exposure, which were maintained through 30-45 min. Drug accumulation in monolayers was independent of cell number and/or density, and every cell achieved uniform drug concentrations. In MCTSs, however, drug accumulation increased as the number of cells and sizes of the MCTSs became bigger. Drugs exhibited restricted penetration and distribution gradients, accumulating preferentially in cells in the outer layers of MCTSs relative to those in the inner cores. Cal33 monolayers were 6-, 20-, 10-, and 16-fold more sensitive than MCTSs to growth inhibition by ellipticine, idarubicin, daunorubicin, and doxorubicin, respectively. In Cal33 MCTSs exposed to ellipticine or doxorubicin for 24 h, MCTSs were smaller and although they still exhibited drug penetration and distribution gradients, the fluorescent intensity difference between outer and inner cells was reduced. After a 24 h exposure, both drugs had penetrated throughout FaDu MCTSs, consistent with drug-induced death of peripheral cell layers enhancing drug penetration. The increased resistance of MCTS cultures and their ability to recapitulate drug penetration and distribution gradients argues strongly for the deployment of these more physiological models in cancer lead discovery. MCTSs have the potential to enhance the correlation between in vitro potencies and in vivo efficacy, and ultimately may lead to improved cancer drug approval rates.

One of the main challenges for highly sensitive surface-enhanced Raman scattering (SERS) detection is the noise interference of fluorescence signals arising from the analyte molecules. Here we used three types of gold nanostars (GNSs) SERS probes treated by different surface modification methods to reveal the simultaneously existed Raman scattering enhancement and inhibiting fluorescence behaviors during the SERS detection process. As the distance between the metal nanostructures and the analyte molecules can be well controlled by these three surface modification methods, we demonstrated that the fluorescence signals can be either quenched or enhanced during the detection. We found that fluorescence quenching will occur when analyte molecules are closely contacted to the surface of GNSs, leading to a ~100 fold enhancement of the SERS sensitivity. An optimized Raman signal detection limit, as low as the level of 10−11 M, were achieved when Rhodamine 6 G were used as the analyte. The presented fluorescence-free GNSs SERS substrates with plentiful hot spots and controllable surface plasmon resonance wavelengths, fabricated using a cost-effective self-assembling method, can be very competitive candidates for high-sensitive SERS applications.

Cu/Al clad strips are prepared using solid–liquid cast-rolling bonding (SLCRB) technique with a d160 mm × 150 mm twin-roll experimental caster. The extent of interfacial reactions, composition of the reaction products, and their micro-morphology evolution in the SLCRB process are investigated with scanning electron microscope (SEM), energy dispersive spectrometer (EDS), and X-ray diffraction (XRD). In the casting pool, initial aluminized coating is first generated on the copper strip surface, with the diffusion layer mainly consisting of α(Al)+CuAl2 and growing at high temperatures, with the maximum thickness of 10 μm. After sequent rolling below the kiss point, the diffusion layer is broken by severe elongation, which leads to an additional crack bond process with a fresh interface of virgin base metal. The average thickness is reduced from 10 to 5 μm. The reaction products, CuAl2, CuAl, and Cu9Al4, are dispersed along the rolling direction. Peeling and bending test results indicate that the fracture occurs in the aluminum substrate, and the morphology is a dimple pattern. No crack or separation is found at the bonding interface after 90°–180° bending. The presented method provides an economical way to fabricate Cu/Al clad strip directly.

In the well environment of supercritical CO2 separate injection, the ordinary HNBR rubber is not only easy to be corroded, but also easy to be damaged during CO2 gas intrusion and rapid decompression. Therefore, a new modified HNBR was tested for corrosion resistance and heat resistance, and its molecular structure was characterized to verify its corrosion resistance and high temperature resistance. The Cortest high temperature and high pressure autoclave was used to simulate the conditions of high temperature, high pressure and high CO2 in the well. The test device was used to carry out the experiment about CO2 gas intrusion and rapid depressurization of the modified HNBR rubber. The experimental results show that the modified HNBR rubber not only has good corrosion and high temperature resistance, but also has good CO2 gas intrusion and rapid decompression resistance. It is recommended to be used under the downhole conditions of supercritical CO2 separate injection. The conclusions can provide a theoretical basis for the selection of rubber materials in supercritical CO2 separate injection wells.

The aim of the study was to investigate whether the slow component of oxygen uptake was concurrent with the recruitment of large α-motoneuron muscle fibres by using wavelet and principal component analysis (PCA) of electromyography (EMG) during heavy and severe cycling exercise. Eleven male subjects participated in the study. After establishing each subject’s maximum value of oxygen uptake through an incremental test on the cycle ergometer, the subjects performed 6-min cycling tests at heavy and severe intensity. EMG signals were collected from rectus femoris, biceps femoris long head, tibialis anterior, and medial gastrocnemius and processed by combined use of wavelet and PCA analysis. The time delays to the onset of slow component occurred significantly earlier during severe (105.22 ± 5.45 s) compared with during heavy (138.78 ± 15.09 s) exercise. ANOVA with repeated measures showed that for all muscles tested, the angle θ formed by the first and second principal components decreased significantly between time windows during heavy and severe exercise. However, significant increases of EMG mean power frequency (MPF) were found only during heavy exercise. Our results show the concurrence of the oxygen uptake slow component with the additional recruitment of muscle fibres, presumably less efficient large α-motoneuron fibres. Novelty The expected rise in MPF may be offset by muscle fatigue occurring in the later time windows of the slow component during severe exercise. The gradual shift to higher EMG frequencies throughout the slow-component phase was reflected in the progressive and significant decrease of angle θ.

A smart adsorbent RA@MS is fabricated by incorporating a di-block copolymer through the combination of the thermo-responsive block poly(N-isopropylacrylamide) (R) and the active block poly{N-[3-(dimethylamino) propyl]methacrylamide} (A, tertiary amines as basic sites) into mesoporous silica. The di-block copolymer RA preserves the thermo-responsive nature, which makes the active sites reversibly exposed/blocked in light of temperature variation. The obtained adsorbent possessing thermo-responsive properties can thus realize both selective adsorption and efficient regeneration for temperature-swing adsorption (TSA) of dyes.

Objectives Aspidin BB, a typical phloroglucinol derivative from Dryopteris fragrans, possesses significant antifungal property. This study aimed to investigate potential mechanism of antifungal activity of Aspidin BB against Trichophyton rubrum which is the most common pathogens responsible for chronic dermatophytosis. Methods The minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) of Aspidin BB against strains was determined by broth microdilution. The effects of Aspidin BB on ergosterol biosynthesis were investigated by content determination based on UPLC method. Besides, the effects of drugs on squalene epoxidase (SE) in T. rubrum cell membrane were analyzed. Results MIC value of Aspidin BB against T. rubrum was 25.0 μg/mL. Aspidin BB reduced ergosterol content significantly, but no notable effect on squalene epoxidase activity. Conclusion The results suggested that Aspidin BB inhibited ergosterol biosynthesis. However, it was not squalene epoxidase but other components may sever as possible targets in ergosterol biosynthesis pathway.

Ethnobotanical relevance Catalpol is the main active component of the radix from Rehmannia glutinosa Libosch, which has pleiotropic protective effects in neurodegenerative diseases, ischemic stroke, metabolic disorders and others Aim Catalpol has been shown to have neuroprotective, neurorepair, and angiogenesis effects following ischemic brain injury. However, its molecular mechanisms are still poorly understood. In previous studies, the JAK2/STAT3 signaling pathway was found to play a role in neuroprotection and angiogenesis. This study investigated the role of catalpol in stimulating angiogenesis via the JAK2/STAT3 pathway after permanent focal cerebral ischemia (pMCAO). Methods Rats were subjected to right middle cerebral artery occlusion through electrocoagulation and were treated with catalpol (5 mg/kg), AG490 was also used to inhibit STAT3 phosphorylation (pSTAT3). Results Following stroke, Catalpol improved the neuroethology deficit, increased the cerebral blood flow (CBF) of infarcted brain and upregulated EPO and EPOR. AG490 suppressed the phosphorylation of signal transducer and activator of transcription 3 (STAT3), ultimately inhibited VEGF mRNA expression, which reduced VEGF protein expression and inhibited stroke-induced angiogenesis. However, Catalpol enhanced stroke-induced STAT3 activation and subsequently restored STAT3 activity through the recovery of STAT3 binding to VEGF. Moreover, Catalpol reversed the effect of AG490 on STAT3 activation and nuclear translocation, restored the transcriptional activity of the VEGF promoter by recruiting STAT3 to the VEGF promoter, improved VEGF mRNA and protein expression, increased angiogenesis, reduced the difference in CBF between the infarcted and intact brain and ameliorated the neuroethology behaviors after stroke. Conclusion Catalpol affects neuroprotection and angiogenesis via the JAK2/STAT3 signaling pathway, which is mediated by STAT3 activation and VEGF expression. Catalpol may be used as a potential therapeutic drug for stroke.

p-Si thin films with large grains have been fabricated on polyethylene terephthalate substrate by radio frequency plasma enahnced chemical vapor deposition under the assist of negative substrate bias. The micro-structural, optical and electrical properties of the as-deposited thin films are studied by X-ray diffraction, Raman scattering spectroscopy, scanning electron microscope, transmission electron microscopy, optical transmittance spectra and Hall measurement. The test results show that negative bias at moderate level promotes crystallization even at very low substrate temperature (100 ℃), and the large p-Si grain with the size of ~150–300 nm can be obtained at the negative of 100 V. Detailed analysis has been performed for illustrating the effect of negative bias on the growth of p-Si thin film.

The present study was meant for the discovery of the underlying functions of miR-485-5p in ovarian cancer concerning cisplatin resistance in vitro. RT-qPCR assessed the miR-485-5p expression in ovarian cancer cell lines, normal cells and cisplatin-resistant Cell line OVCA433-CR. After OVCA433-CR treated with 0,3,5umol/L cisplatin, miR-485-5p expressions were determined. MTT observed the cell cytotoxicity in OVCA433-CR after regulation of miR-485-5p. Targets can predicted the putative binding between miR-485-5p and PAK1 and Luciferase Assay verified this. RT-qPCR decided the inhibitory effect in between. MTT tested the cytotoxicity in different combinations of miR-485-5p and PAK1. Western Blot tested the phosphorylation of Pi3k and Akt in response to miR-485-5p and PAK1 interplay. We evaluated the role of Pi3k/Akt signaling in regulation of miR-485-5p and cisplatin resistance with Wortmannin. miR-485-5p was lower expressed in ovarian cancer cells than normal ones and even lower in OVCA433-CR than OVCA433. As the cisplatin concerntration increased, miR-485-5p decreased. miR-485-5p mimics induced lower cisplatin resistance while miR-485-5p inhibitor caused higher resistance. PAK1 targeted miR-485-5p and inhibited miR-485-5p. PAK1 inhibitor helped to lower the resistance to cisplatin caused by miR-485-5p upregulation. miR-485-5p mimics silenced Pi3k/Akt signaling and PAK1 inhibitor aggravated the silencing. Inhibition of Pi3k/Akt signaling increased miR-485-5p, thereby decreasing the cisplatin-resistance in OVCA433-CR. miR-485-5p decreased cisplatin resistance in ovarian cancer cells via Pi3k/Akt signaling, suggesting that miR-485-5p upregulation might alleviate the cisplatin resistance in ovarian patients.

Selenium (Se) is a micronutrient that becomes toxic when present at higher concentrations in fish tissues. Allium mongolicum Regel flavonoids (AMRF) have been documented to possess antioxidant, immunoenhancement and anti-inflammation properties. The aim of this study was to investigate the protective effects and potential mechanisms of dietary supplementation of AMRF and Se exposure on oxidative stress, immune responses and immune-related genes expression in Channa argus. A total of 480 C. argus were randomly divided into eight groups housed in twenty-four 200 L glass aquarium (3 tanks per group, 20 fish per tank). The fish were exposed for 56 days to waterborne Se at 0, 50, 100 and 200 μg/L and/or dietary AMRF at 40 mg/kg. The result indicated that AMRF exerted significant protective effects by preventing alterations in the levels of bioaccumulation, malondialdehyde, lysozyme, complement C3 and immunoglobulin M. AMRF also assists in the elevation of catalase and glutathione peroxidase in the liver and spleen while regulating the expression of immune-related genes including NF-κB p65, IκB-α, TNF-α, IL-1β, IL-8, HSP70, HSP90, and glucocorticoid receptor after 56 days of Se exposure. Our results suggest that administration of AMRF (40 mg/kg) has the potential to combat Se toxicity in C. argus.

Hydrogen-argon mixed dilution has been applied for the deposition of boron-doped nanocrystalline silicon carbide (nc-SiCx) thin films. The variations of structural, compositional, electrical and optical properties with the varying H2/Ar ratio are systemically investigated through various characterizations. It is shown that by using H2-Ar mixed dilution for deposition, B-doped nc-SiCx thin film possessing both wide optical band gap (∼2.22 eV) and high conductivity (∼1.9 S cm-1) can be obtained at the H2/Ar flow ratio of 360/140. In addition, the B-doped nc-SiCx thin films are fabricated as the window layers of a-Si thin film solar cells, and the highest conversion efficiency (8.13%) is obtained when applying the window layer with the largest optical band gap energy.

Up to now, no crystal structure of swine leukocyte antigen 2 (SLA-2) molecules was reported. In order to elucidate the structure of SLA-2 and to study the cytotoxic T lymphocyte (CTL) epitopes derived from foot-and-mouth disease virus (FMDV), a complex of swine major histocompatibility complex (MHC) class I molecule (SLA-2 haplotype, Hebao allele) with swine β2-microglobulin and the CTL epitope FMDV-Hu64 (ALLRTATYY) derived from O serotype of FMDV VP1 protein (residues 64-72) was refolded and crystallized. The crystal, which belonged to space group P212121, diffracted to 2.5 A resolution and had unit cell parameters a = 48.37, b = 97.75, c = 166.163 A. These results will help to determine the first structure of a SLA-2 molecule in the context of an FMDV CTL epitope.

Adsorption and desorption are equally important in an adsorptive separation process, while conventional adsorbents with fixed pores benefit only one of them rather than both. Here, a new generation of adsorbents was fabricated by incorporating thermo-responsive polymers (TRPs) into pores. The TRPs act as molecular switches, making pore spaces and active sites responsive to adsorption/desorption conditions. The adsorbents can thus realize both selective adsorption and efficient desorption, which are extremely desirable for adsorptive separation.

Background Currently, the structural characteristics of the swine major histocompatibility complex (MHC) class I molecule, also named swine leukocyte antigen class I (SLA-I) molecule need to be further clarified. Results A complex of SLA-I constituted by an SLA-2*HB01 molecule with swine β2-microglobulin and a cytotoxic T lymphocyte (CTL) epitope FMDV-AS64 (ALLRSATYY) derived from VP1 protein (residues 64–72) of Asia 1 serotype of foot-and-mouth disease virus (FMDV) was expressed, refolded, purified and crystallized. By preliminary X-ray diffraction analysis, it was shown that the diffraction resolution of the crystal was 2.4 Å and the space group belonged to P212121 with unit cell parameters a = 48.37, b = 97.75, c = 166.163 Å. Conclusion This research will be in favor of illuminating the structural characteristics of an SLA-2 molecule associated with a CTL epitope derived from Asia1 serotype of FMDV.

Objectives The aim of the present study was to evaluate the plasma nesfatin-1, corticosterone, and inflammatory cytokine (IL-6, CRP, and TNF-α) concentrations cross-sectionally in patients with major depressive disorder. Methods Subjects in the patient group were randomly selected from the Anhui Mental Health Center, and subjects in the control group were selected from healthy volunteers. Healthy control subjects were matched in terms of weight and body mass index. The Hamilton Depression Rating Scale (HAM-D) was used to evaluate both groups. ELISAs were used for the measurement of plasma nesfatin-1, corticosterone, IL-6, CRP, and TNF-α levels. Results The HAM-D scores and average nesfatin-1, corticosterone, IL-6, and CRP levels were significantly higher in patients with major depressive disorder than those in the control group. Positive correlation was found between nesfatin-1 and corticosterone (r = 0.305, P = 0.007), IL-6 (r = 0.333, P = 0.003), and CRP (r = 0.244, P = 0.034) concentrations. Conclusions Increased plasma nesfatin-1 levels may be associated with corticosterone, IL-6, and CRP levels in patients with major depressive disorder.

Basic helix-loop-helix (bHLH) transcription factors are involved in many abiotic stress responses as well as flavonol and anthocyanin biosynthesis. In grapes (Vitis vinifera L.), flavonols including anthocyanins and condensed tannins are most abundant in the skins of the berries. Flavonols are important phytochemicals for viticulture and enology, but grape bHLH genes have rarely been examined. We identified 94 grape bHLH genes in a genome-wide analysis and performed Nr and GO function analyses for these genes. Phylogenetic analyses placed the genes into 15 clades, with some remaining orphans. 41 duplicate gene pairs were found in the grape bHLH gene family, and all of these duplicate gene pairs underwent purifying selection. Nine triplicate gene groups were found in the grape bHLH gene family and all of these triplicate gene groups underwent purifying selection. Twenty-two grape bHLH genes could be induced by PEG treatment and 17 grape bHLH genes could be induced by cold stress treatment including a homologous form of MYC2, VvbHLH007. Based on the GO or Nr function annotations, we found three other genes that are potentially related to anthocyanin or flavonol biosynthesis: VvbHLH003, VvbHLH007, and VvbHLH010. We also performed a cis-acting regulatory element analysis on some genes involved in flavonoid or anthocyanin biosynthesis and our results showed that most of these gene promoters contained G-box or E-box elements that could be recognized by bHLH family members.

Ya-Yun Xu,1,2 Jun Liang,1,2 Yin Cao,1,2 Feng Shan,1,2 Yang Liu,1,2 Qing-Rong Xia1,2 1Department of Pharmacy, Hefei Fourth People’s Hospital, Hefei, People’s Republic of China; 2Anhui Mental Health Center, Hefei, People’s Republic of China Abstract: Despite the increasing amount of evidence suggesting a relationship between depression and subclinical hypothyroidism (SCH), the exact mechanism underlying this relationship remains unclear. The main purpose of this study was to investigate the roles of plasma Nesfatin-1 levels and dysfunction of the hypothalamic–pituitary–adrenal (HPA) and hypothalamus–pituitary–thyroid (HPT) axes in the comorbidity of depression and SCH. Dysfunctions of the HPA and HPT axes were detected by measuring plasma corticosterone and thyroid-stimulating hormone (TSH) concentrations, respectively. Subjects in the patient group were selected from patients hospitalized at the Anhui Mental Health Center, and subjects in the control group were recruited from healthy volunteers. Healthy control subjects were matched to the patients in terms of weight and body mass index. The Hamilton Depression Rating Scale was administered to both the groups. The enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay method was used to measure plasma Nesfatin-1, corticosterone, and TSH levels. A radioimmunoassay kit was used for the measurement of the plasma-free triiodothyronine and plasma-free thyroxine. The results showed that the Hamilton Depression Rating Scale scores and average Nesfatin-1, corticosterone, and TSH levels were significantly higher in depressed patients with SCH than in the control group. Moreover, positive relationships were observed between Nesfatin-1 levels and the concentrations of corticosterone (r=0.626, P

We demonstrate a polymeric electro-optic (EO) modulator with a Mach-Zehnder interferometer (MZI) structure. Low loss fluorinated polyimide (FPI) and low cost nonlinear optical (NLO) chromophores of disperse red 1 (DR 1) were introduced to form the core layer of the modulator. The fabricated EO polymer waveguide exhibits a low propagation loss of 1.14 dB/cm, and the modulating device exhibits a good EO response which indicates a low half-wave voltage of about 5.4 V. The results show that the polymeric EO material of DR 1 doped FPI is a good candidate of high performance EO materials and the modulating device based on the EO polymer possesses potential applications.

In this paper, a novel ruthenium(II) complex of emodin, Ru(bpy)2Emodin(RBL17, bpy = 2,2'-bipyridine; Eomdin = 1,3,8-trihydroxy-6-methyl-anthraquinone), has been synthesized and characterized by ESI-MS, 1H NMR, 1H–1H COSY and electronic spectra. The binding behavior of RBL17 with c-myc G4 DNA has been further investigated by ITC (isothermal titration calorimetry), FRET (fluorescence resonance energy transfer) and 1H NMR spectra, as well as spectroscopic methods. Those results showed that this complex has the ability to bind and stabilize the conformation of c-myc G-quadruplex via groove binding mode. Taken together, ruthenium(II) complex of emodin can act as a potential inhibitor in chemotherapy by targeting to c-myc G4 DNA.

A copolymer was prepared by grafted a novel phenolic resin to hydrolyzed polyacrylonitrile as fluid-loss-control additive. The novel phenolic resin used Bisphenol A residues as raw materials. Results of Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR) showed that the two polymers were grafted into together. It was found that the copolymer gave a well performance under high temperature and high pressure and saline pollution.

The parasitic ciliate Ichthyophthirius multifiliis infests all species of freshwater fish and can cause severe economic losses in fish breeding. The present study aims to evaluate the antiparasitic activity of the active components from Toddalia asiatica against I. multifiliis. Bioassay-guided fractionation and isolation of compounds with antiparasitic activity were performed on the methanol extract of T. asiatica yielding two bioactive compounds: chelerythrine and chloroxylonine identified by comparing spectral data (NMR and ESI-MS) with literature values. Results from in vitro antiparasitic assays revealed that chelerythrine and chloroxylonine could be 100% effective against I. multifiliis at the concentration of 1.2 mg L(-1) and 3.5 mg L(-1), with the median effective concentration (EC50) values of 0.55 mg L(-1) and 1.90 mg L(-1) respectively. In vivo experiments demonstrated that fish treated with chelerythrine and chloroxylonine at the concentrations of 1.8 and 8.0 mg L(-1) carried significantly fewer parasites than the control (P

A novel photoresponding ionic complex (PANDAZO) was prepared by the ionic self-assembly (ISA) of sodium polyacrylate (PANa) and azobenzene chromophores (NDAZO). The ionic complex forms an interdigitated lamellar structure with full overlap of the side chains. The optical anisotropy was investigated by using a polarization pulse laser (355 nm). Furthermore, a high photoinduced birefringence (Δ n = 0.365) was measured by using a continuous 488 nm laser as the pump light.

The emission in atmosphere results in global climates warm, reduction of emission is growing concern of many countries. The geological storage of is effective method to reduce emission. Because coal seam has strong absorption capacity for ,the coal seam can be used as geological storage reservoirs, and coal seam has such characteristics that coal seam is preference for absorption and postponement for absorption, injection into coal seam can enhanced coal bed methane recovery, -ECBM, because and compete and absorb in coal seam , displace , hence coal bed methane can be obtained by The geological storage of in coal seam,is a energy generated by methane from injection into coal seam, injection into coal seam can not only reduce emission and but also enhance coal bed methane recovery, that is important to environment protection and energy sustainable development.

A novel anticaking material was prepared from from Bentonite, Biological Carbon and abandoned animal/plant oil in this study. In order to determine the optimal dosage of bentonite, biological carbon and abandoned animal/plant oil, the experiments has been performed systematically. The effect of anticaking materials was described by caking ratio. BAC was prepared by 30g of bentonite, 5g of abandoned animal/plant oil, 2.0g of biological carbon. With dosage of BAC is 10g / 200g (compound fertilizer), In the 30 days storage period, preparation of BAC can achieve the requirement of the anti-caking. However, the anti-caking effect is weaker as the longer storage time and Anti-caking cycle of BAC is shorter.

To estimate hearing loss, neurobehavioral function, and neurotransmitter alteration induced by ethylbenzene in petrochemical workers.From two petrochemical plants, 246 and 307 workers exposed to both ethylbenzene and noise were recruited-290 workers exposed to noise only from a power station plant and 327 office personnel as control group, respectively. Hearing and neurobehavioral functions were evaluated. Serum neurotransmitters were also determined.The prevalence of hearing loss was much higher in petrochemical groups than that in power station and control groups (P0.05). Compared with the control group, scores of neurobehavioral function reflecting learning and memory were decreased in petrochemical workers (P0.05), as well as acetylcholinesterase activity. Negative correlation was shown between neurobehavioral function and acetylcholinesterase.Ethylbenzene exposure might be associated with hearing loss, neurobehavioral function impairment, and imbalance of neurotransmitters.

The production of sugar beet and maize as energy crops were investigated in saline alkali soil in China during three growing seasons. A dramatically decreases of yield of grains and starch of maize was found in both medium and heavy saline-alkali soil in the three years. But there were no decreases of yield of root and sucrose of sugar beet in medium saline-alkali soil and reduction of yield of root and sucrose of sugar beet in heavy medium saline-alkali were faintly. The results indicate that sugar beet is more tolerant to salt stress and maintains higher production of sugar may be a major bioethanol crops in saline-alkali soil in China.

Microencapsulated stearic acid (SA) with silicon dioxide (SiO 2 ) shell as composite thermal energy storage material was prepared using sol–gel methods. In the composite thermal energy storage material, the stearic acid was used as the core material that is the latent heat storage phase change material (PCM), and the silicon dioxide acted as the shell material which prevented the leakage of the melted stearic acid. Fourier transformation infrared spectroscope (FT-IR) and scanning electronic microscope (SEM) were used to determine chemical structure and microstructure of microencapsulated stearic acid with silicon dioxide shell. The thermal properties and thermal stability were investigated by the differential scanning calorimeter (DSC) and thermogravimetric analyzer (TGA). The SEM results showed that the stearic acid was encapsulated in the shell of the silicon dioxide shell. The DSC results indicated that the microencapsulated stearic acid with the silicon dioxide shell as composite thermal energy storage material solidifies at 52.6 °C with a latent heat of 162.0 kJ/kg and melts at 53.5 °C with a latent heat of 171.0 kJ/kg when the encapsulation ratio of the SA is 90.7%. The TGA results presented that the silicon dioxide shells can improve the thermal stability of the microencapsulated stearic acid as composite thermal energy storage material.

Acid Hydrolysis studied in this paper was in order to increase the content of cucurbitacin B

This article presents the preparation and characterization of microencapsulated paraffin microcapsules with silicon dioxide (SiO2) shells as thermal energy storage materials. The microcapsules were prepared using a sol-gel method. Paraffin was used as the core material, and SiO2 prepared with methyl triethoxysilane (MTES) acted as the shell material. The morphology and particle size of the microcapsules were investigated using scanning electron microscopy (SEM). The chemical characterization of the microcapsules was measured using Fourier transform infrared spectroscope (FTIR). The crystalloid phase of the microcapsules was measured using X-ray diffraction (XRD). The thermal properties and thermal stability of the microcapsules were analyzed using differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) and thermal gravimetric analysis (TGA). The FTIR, XRD, and SEM results showed that the paraffin was encapsulated in the shell of the SiO2. The DSC results indicated that the typical microcapsules melted at 57.96°C with a l...

A series of azobenzene-containing fluorescent complexes with stilbene fluorescent unit were prepared based on the ionic self-assembly approach. The incorporation of the stilbene unit did not change the lamellar structure of the azobenzene-containing complex. Under pulsed laser irradiation, the azobenzene group oriented in the direction perpendicular to the laser polarization, and as a result, the fluorescent stilbene unit was cooperatively oriented following the direction of azobenzene group orientation. This oriented complex films presented anisotropic emission of fluorescence, and the anisotropic ratio of fluorescence increases with the increase of the content of azobenzene unit in the complex.

Objectives Percutaneous coronary interventions (PCIs) save countless acute myocardial infarction (AMI) patients. However, endothelial injury is still an inevitable complication. Circulating microparticles (MPs) play important roles in vascular dysfunction. Whether PCI affects function of MPs remains unclear. Methods MPs were obtained from AMI patients (n = 38) both preoperatively and 24 h after PCI, and healthy subjects (n = 20). MPs origins were tested by flow cytometry. Rat thoracic aortas were incubated with MPs to determine the effects of MPs on phosphorylation of endothelial nitric oxide synthase (eNOS), caveolin-1 expression, eNOS association with heat shock protein 90 (Hsp90), generation of nitric oxide (NO) and superoxide anion (O2), and endothelial-dependent vasodilatation. Results Compared with healthy subjects, MP concentrations increased in AMI patients. Undergoing PCI had no further effect on MPs concentration, but it results in increased endothelial-derived MPs proportion and decreased platelet-derived MP ratio. MPs from AMI patients decreased eNOS phosphorylation at Ser1177, increased eNOS phosphorylation at T495 and caveolin-1 expression, decreased eNOS association with Hsp90, decreased NO production but increased (O2) generation, damaged endothelial-dependent vasodilatation. All of these effects of MPs were strengthened by PCI. Conclusions PCI further enhances the vascular injury effect of MPs. Circulating MPs may be a potential therapeutic target for patients undergoing PCI.

Selective adsorption and efficient regeneration are two crucial issues for adsorption processes; unfortunately, only one of them instead of both is favored by traditional adsorbents with fixed pore orifices. Herein, we fabricated a new generation of smart adsorbents through grafting photoresponsive molecules, namely, 4-(3-triethoxysilylpropyl-ureido)azobenzene (AB-TPI), onto pore orifices of the support mesoporous silica. The azobenzene (AB) derivatives serve as the molecular gates of mesopores and are reversibly opened and closed upon light irradiation. Irradiation with visible light (450 nm) causes AB molecules to isomerize from cis to trans configuration, and the molecular gates are closed. It is easy for smaller adsorbates to enter while difficult for the larger ones, and the selective adsorption is consequently facilitated. Upon irradiation with UV light (365 nm), the AB molecules are transformed from trans to cis isomers, promoting the desorption of adsorbates due to the opened molecular gates. The present smart adsorbents can consequently benefit not only selective adsorption but also efficient desorption, which are exceedingly desirable for adsorptive separation but impossible for traditional adsorbents with fixed pore orifices.

Form-stable palmitic acid (PA)/active aluminum oxide composites as phase change materials were prepared by adsorbing liquid palmitic acid into active aluminum oxide. In the composites, the palmitic acid was used as latent heat storage materials, and the active aluminum oxide was used as supporting material. Fourier transformation infrared spectroscope (FT-IR), X-ray diffractometer (XRD) and scanning electronic microscope (SEM) were used to determine the chemical structure, crystalloid phase and microstructure of the composites, respectively. The thermal properties and thermal stability were investigated by a differential scanning calorimeter (DSC) and a thermogravimetry analyzer (TGA). The FT-IR analyses results indicated that there is no chemical interaction between the palmitic acid and active aluminum oxide. The SEM results showed that the palmitic acid was well adsorbed into porous network of the active aluminum oxide. The DSC results indicated that the composites melt at 60.25 °C with a latent heat of 84.48 kJ kg−1 and solidify at 56.86 °C with a latent heat of 78.79 kJ kg−1 when the mass ratio of the PA to active aluminum oxide is 0.9:1. Compared with that of the PA, the melting and solidifying time of the composites CPCM5 was reduced by 20.6% and 21.4% because of the increased heat transfer rate through EG addition. The TGA results showed that the active aluminum oxide can improve the thermal stability of the composites.

The reduction of greenhouse gases emission is a growing concern of many countries. The geological storage of is useful and effective approaches to reduce emission. The oil and natural gas industries have long commercial practice of gas injection, enhanced oil recovery ( -EOR). Because coal seam has strong absorption capacity for ,the coal seam can be used as geological storage reservoirs, and coal seam has such characteristics that coal seam is preference for absorption and postponement for absorption, injection into coal seam can enhanced coal bed methane recovery, -ECBM, is a new energy generated by methane from injection into coal seam, and is beneficial complement of the energy , injection into coal seam can not only reduce greenhouse gases emission and but also enhance coal bed methane recovery, which is very significance to environment protection and energy sustainable development in china.

Shape-stabilized lauric acid/activated carbon composites as phase change materials were prepared by adsorbing liquid lauric acid into activated carbon. In the composites, the lauric acid was used as a phase change material for thermal energy storage, and the activated carbon was used as an adsorbent that acted as the supporting material. Fourier transformation infrared spectroscope, X-ray diffractometer, scanning electronic microscope and thermal conductivity apparatus were used to determine the chemical structure, crystalloid phase, microstructure and thermal conductivity, respectively, of the composites. The thermal properties and thermal stability were investigated by a differential scanning calorimeter and a thermogravimetry analyzer. The microstructural analysis results showed that the lauric acid was well adsorbed into the porous network of the activated carbon. The thermal conductivity measurement results presented that the thermal conductivity of the composites was enhanced. The differential scanning calorimetry analysis results indicated that the composites exhibited the same phase change characteristics as those of the lauric acid and their latent heats increased with increase of the lauric acid content in composites. The thermogravimetric analysis results presented that the activated carbon can improve the thermal stability of the composites.